updated 12:25 pm EDT, Fri May 27, 2011

Would extend bonuses beyond iPods for first time

Apple is planning to announce its annual Back to School promotion at WWDC, which begins June 6th, a new report claims. Deals are in general expected to be consistent with past years, revolving around discounted Macs with the bonus of a free iPod touch or up to $229 towards any other iPod. Apple may also, however, be willing to offer up to $200 off the cost of an iPad, the source says.

Such a deal might reflect not only the growing popularity of the iPad, but also declining iPod sales and a desire to get the iPad into as many hands as possible. The iPad is a relatively expensive device, and may not be worth full price for students who need a computer first and foremost. Some schools have started buying iPads in bulk for students, but such arrangements are relatively rare.

If it's $229 for an iPod

Highly unlikely

According to my sources it is unlikely that they will include the ipad. They might have been thinking about it. But they can't keep an even close to constant supply in stores as is. This promo would kill it .

Also you have to buy all the pieces at the same time. Which means when a kid comes in and Dad says he'll only get the base model and it is sold out then there's 2 choices, come back later and try again, or buy what you can and return it after you get the rebate check for the one you want. And that one that was bought now and returned can't be sold to another customer if it is open and the kid will open it (they can't help themselves). And it will likely come back beyond the two weeks and parent will scream and pitch a fit and demand the exchange because it is the stores fault that the 'right' one wasn't in stock when they bought the computer. And the managers will point out that it says "while supplies last" and "not all items may be available at all stores" and so on. And the parent will continue to scream and threaten to call Steve Jobs ("we are best buddies from way back"), sue etc. And the manager will give in. And then have to give into every parent that comes in and says 'you did it for so and so' and so on. Same thing that happens several times every season over ipods being out of stock, printers being out of stock etc.

Perhaps if they limit the ipad to online orders which means you will have to wait 2-3 weeks to get them it could work. but not in stores.